To mark World Soil Day 2025, the IFDC-led Soil Values Program will host a high-level regional webinar aimed at strengthening political alignment, sharing evidence, and accelerating inclusive partnerships for soil restoration in the Sahel. The online event will take place on December 5 from 2:00–4:00 p.m. GMT under the theme “Healthy Soils for a Resilient Future: Turning Evidence, Partnerships, and Inclusion into Action.”
As soil degradation intensifies across West Africa, the webinar will bring together policymakers, researchers, producers, regional institutions, development partners, private-sector actors, journalists, and coalition members united in their commitment to advancing resilient and sustainable food systems.
Speakers include:
- Henk van Duijn, President and CEO, IFDC
- Dr. Oumou Camara, Vice President, Global Programs, IFDC
- Eric Smaling, Outgoing Soil Values Program Director
- Nassourou Diallo, Soil Values Deputy Program Director – Partnership
- Hwyere Mary, Multi-Country Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert, SNV
- Asseta Diallo, Senior Specialist, Soil Health and Integrated Management, AGRA
- Dr. Francis Silatsa, Soil Scientist and Project Leader, ISRIC – World Soil Information
- Katrien Descheemaeker, Professor and Chair of the Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University
